Equine multi-purpose protector boot

ABSTRACT

An equine multi-purpose protector boot comprising: (a) a sole member rigid enough to resist lateral movement of the hoof with an upwardly depending rim extending around its periphery at least at the toe and at each side, the inner surface of the rim being substantially vertical at least in the region of the sides: (b) at least one flexible side flap located at each side of the hoof, attached to or integral with the sole member; (c) an outer compressive cover provided with means to force the side flap into conformation with the shape of the hoof; (d) a flexible heel member attached to the rear of the sole member and including at least one fastening strap ( 16 ) adapted to pass around the pastern bone within the range of 2 to 3.5 cm above the coronary band.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of equine protector boots with theaim of assisting in the eradication of major problems encountered by theequestrian industry with the soundness of horses' hooves. As such theinvention provides a removable protective covering for the hoof of ahorse.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For many years it has been known that for a horse to travel and remainsound it needs feet that are in good form and condition. This principleis embodied in the often-quoted old horseman's saying “no feet, nohorse”.

Traditionally, horses have been shod with the well-known metal shoe.Such shoes protect and support the outer edge of the hoof and areattached to the foot by nailing through the horny tissue of the hoofwall. These conventional shoes wear with use and also must be removedand replaced every 6 to 10 weeks as the horse's hoof grows.

There are also many varied problems of disease and damage that areassociated with horses' feet. Abscesses in the hoof, bruises in thesole, corns, torn or ripped hoof walls or thrown shoes are just a fewconditions that will prevent a horse from being ridden and/or willresult in the confinement of a horse to a stable or paddock.

There is a need for a multi-purpose boot designed for easy and rapidfitting to the hoof, providing both good traction from the sole andcomfort for the horse. Such a boot could be used as a substitute for aconventional shoe in day to day riding or training situations and alsowould have a wide range of veterinary uses (eg protecting bruised soles,abscesses in the hoof, tom hoof walls where nailing is not possible).

The present invention seeks to meet this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention accordingly provides an equine multi-purpose protectorboot comprising:

A—a sole member with an upwardly depending rim extending around theperiphery of the sole member at least at the toe and at each side,wherein the inner surface of said rim is substantially vertical at leastin the region of the sides of the sole member to allow differing shapedhooves to drop down onto the platform of the sole without restriction,and the said rim is of sufficient rigidity to provide resistance tolateral movement of the hoof;

B—at least one side flap located at each side of the hoof, attached toor integrated with the sole member, and composed of flexible materialwhich is able to conform to the shape of the sidewalls of the hoof;

C—an outer compressive cover, provided with means to force the sideflaps into conformation with the shape of the hoof and prevent lateralmovement of the hoof in the boot;

D—a heel member, flexibly attached to the rear of the sole member andshaped to include at least one fastening strap adapted to pass aroundthe pastern bone at a point within the range of 2 to 3.5 cm above thecoronary band of the hoof in such a manner that it prevents the footfrom lifting out of the boot.

PREFERRED ASPECT OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred embodiment, re-closable complementary or mating fastenersare located on the outer surface of the side flaps and the inner surfaceof the compressive cover. By this means the compressive cover isreleasably attached to the side flaps.

It is highly preferred that the fasteners are located or arranged insuch a manner that the compressive cover may be attached to the sideflaps at a plurality of positions thus allowing for variations in hoofshape and ensuring an “encasing” fit and compression of the side flaps.In the most preferred embodiment the fasteners are of hook and looptype, such as VELCRO™.

To achieve easier fitting of the boot, it is preferred that the flexibleside flaps can be opened or spread outwards as the foot is placed intothe boot.

If desired, the side flaps could continue around to the front of theboot and, in some circumstances, could be joined together as a unitaryflap.

The flexible side flaps may be integrated with the sole member as a twoor multi phase composition to achieve the required rigidity and hardwearing characteristics of the sole member together with the supplenessand flexibility of the side flaps.

The outer compressive cover may be attached either directly orindirectly to the sole member at one or more points substantially at thetoe of the sole member.

To allow for variations in length and shape of the hoof, it isparticularly preferred that the upwardly depending rim on the sidemember does not extend along the rear edge of the sole member, thusproviding an open back to the sole. This allows the hoof to hang overthe edge and when the heel member of the boot is in place it can betightened to provide an exact, encasing fit. Such an exact fiteliminates any rearward projections at the sole of the hoof and preventsthe horse overreaching and clipping the back of the heel.

The height of the upwardly depending rim from the upper surface (or“platform”) of the sole member may vary from 5 to 25 mm; but it ispreferable that the rim is 20 mm in height. The required height dependspartially on the rigidity of the material from which the rim isconstructed to achieve the purpose of restricting lateral movement ofthe hoof relative to the sole member.

A reinforced toecap, similar in shape and function to the toecap ofconventional metal shoes, may be provided on the sole member. In a morepreferred form, the toecap may be wider and/or higher and encase alarger portion of the toe of the hoof than a conventional toecap. Thisstructure helps to locate and lock the hoof into the front of the solemember. If the angle of the toecap approximates to the angle of thehoof, the result is a key-like function of the toecap. It is preferredthat the angle is within the range of from 50° to 53°, which is thoughtto conform generally with the angle of the toe in most horses.Particularly preferred is an angle of 52°. As the fastening strap of theheel member is tightened, the heel of the boot forces the hoof tip underthe toecap.

In order to maintain the correct angle of the hoof to protect thetendons from over flexing, it is important that the point at the frontof the sole member, where the toe of the hoof rests against the rim ortoecap, is vertically in line with the break over point of the bottom ofthe sole member.

Preferably the fastening strap of the heel member is made of a resilientmaterial which allows for movement of the horse but does not stretchenough to allow the boot to be pulled off if it is caught or trodden on.

It is highly preferred that the strap runs around the short pastern bone(i.e. the second phalanx) and over the lateral cartilage; just below themoving joint and just above the widest point of the coronary band; thusallowing the strap to sit snugly to maintain the most secure positionpossible on the leg. Any higher and the strap would be located on amoving part, which would restrict the joint. Any lower and the strapcould not be stopped from sliding down the hoof.

In a preferred embodiment, the strap is arranged to cross over itselfFrom its attachment point on one side of the heel of the hoof, the strapis passed across the heel, around the pastern, then back to anotherattachment point at the opposite side of the heel. By this arrangement,there is further means to limit or prevent the downward slide of thestrap over the side of the hoof.

Preferably the lower surface of the sole member is lugged to aid intraction. The lugs may be provided integrally with the sole member ormay be independent and constructed of a different material such as ahard wearing metal. Independent lugs may be removable and/orinterchangeable. For some uses, such as in training, the lower surfaceof the sole member will be designed to provide hard-wearing qualities.In other, veterinary, uses the sole member may be chosen to providecushioning qualities.

Materials for the manufacture of the boot include leather, canvas,synthetic such as KORDUX™, CORDURA™, NITREX™), rubber and nylon andshould be chosen for their qualities of strength, breathability andwater and abrasion resistance. Preferable materials for the constructionof the sole member include polyurethane rubbers such as TPR and TPU.

It is important for the material of the heel member to be relativelystrong because it is subject to stretch forces in holding the boot tothe foot and to wear by abrasion against the heel of the horse.

Preferably the boot is designed and constructed of suitable materials sothat the tightening of the fastening strap (or straps) exerts a pressureon the hoof from front to back. This results in a squeezing effect inwhich the back of the boot moves forward and the front moves back. Theboot may be designed so that these relative movements are slight orsignificant in degree.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put intopractical effect, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a boot according to the invention shown fittedto a hoof.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the boot of FIG. 1 shown with thecompressive cover unfastened.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sole member from the rear.

FIG. 4 is a plan view from below of a sole member.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a boot with the compressive cover shownpartially in ghost form.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a boot with hoof in place, but shownwithout the compressive cover.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the boot along the line 7—7 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the boot showing the securing strapof the compressive cover in a fastened position.

FIG. 9 is a rear view, with the rear of the compressive cover partiallyin ghost form, showing the fastening strap of the heel member in whichthe strap is arranged to cross over itself.

FIG. 10 is a rear view of the boot shown in FIG. 9 showing thecompressive cover in an open position.

INTEGER LIST

1 sole member

2 rim

3 inner surface of rim

4 first attachment slot

5 second attachment slot

6 holder

7 toecap

8 lug

9 point of rest of toe

10 break over point

11 platform of sole

12 tongue

13 lowered region

14 toe strap

15 heel member

16 heel-fastening strap

17 side flap

18 gusset

19 compressive cover

20 eye

21 first loop

22 second loop

23 stitching

24 securing strap

25 link

26 VELCRO™

27 buckle

28 pastern

29 coronary band of hoof

30 hoof wall

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH RESPECT TO THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 to 10 illustrate a particular embodiment of an equinemulti-purpose protector boot according to the invention.

The boot, shown in FIG. 1 fitted to the hoof of a horse, includes a solemember 1 having lugs 8 on the underside to assist in traction. The bootfurther includes an outer compressive cover 19 that is held in placepartly by a securing strap 24 and buckle 27. Additional means forholding the compressive cover 19 in place include complementary VELCRO™fasteners 26 and 26 a located at the rear edges of the cover asillustrated in FIG. 2.

A sole member 1 is shown from two views in FIGS. 3 and 4. An upwardlydepending rim 2 extends around the periphery of the sole but does notcontinue to extend along the rear edge of the sole member, thusproviding an open back to the sole platform 11.

Shown most clearly in FIG. 3, the inner surface 3 of the rim at eachside of the sole is vertical until the sides reach the toecap 7 allowingthe hoof to drop down onto the platform 11 of the sole withoutrestriction. The inner surface 3 of the rim at the base of the toecap 7is also vertical for a height of from 5 to 10 mm. This feature allowsthe toe of the hoof to fit flush against the toecap 7. If the toecap 7met the sole platform 11 at an acute angle, the point of the toe of thehoof would not make proper contact with the lower end of the toecap 7leaving an unfilled gap at the angle.

In this embodiment, shown in FIG. 7, the toecap 7 forms an angle of 52°with the platform 11 of the sole to approximate to the angle of the toeof the hoof. (An angle of between 50 to 53° is thought to conformgenerally with the angle of the toe in most horses.) The point of rest 9of the toe at the intersection of the toecap 7 and the sole platform 11is vertically aligned with the break over point 10 of the sole.

Shown in FIG. 3 is a lowered region 13 in the sole platform 1. In thisembodiment this region is about 2 mm lower than the plane of the soleplatform 11.

This feature serves the purpose of allowing a tongue 12 of the heelmember 15 to be attached to the sole member 1 by riveting (asillustrated in FIG. 5). The lowered region 13 provides a recess toaccommodate the tongue 12 so that the sole of the hoof does not sitdirectly upon it.

As is also illustrated in FIG. 3, the sole platform 11 has asubstantially flat surface to which may be applied a layer of shockabsorbing material. Suitable materials include EVA (sometimes known asSORBATHANE™) and PROTHANE™. Because the layer is applied over the tongue12, it is not crucial to ensure that the tongue 12 is wholly within therecess of the lowered region 13.

The lower surface of the sole member has integrally moulded lugs 8. Asuitable lug pattern designed to provide an aid to traction isillustrated in FIG. 4.

The sole member is provided with various slots for attachment of othercomponents of the boot. Alternatively, the components may be integralwith the sole member or could be attached by a process, such asvulcanization or riveting, which would not require the presence of theslots.

A first attachment slot 4 is located in the toecap 7 for the attachmentof the toe strap 14 as a first loop 21. Second attachment slots 5 ateach side allow for the attachment of side flaps 17. The means of theseattachments are best illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the boot in place but shown without thecompressive cover 19 to illustrate the attachment to the sole member 1of various components of the boot.

A webbing toe strap 14 is passed in a first loop 21 through the firstattachment slot 4 in the toecap 7. The upper end of the toe strap 14 isprovided with an eye 20 through which the fastening strap 16 of the heelmember 15 passes.

The side flap 17 (in this embodiment constructed of leather) is attachedin a similar manner by passing second loops 22 through the secondattachment slots 5 as illustrated. A layer of NITREX™ with an over layerof soft leather (not shown) is provided on the inner surface of the sideflaps for the purposes of insulation and padding. The NITREX™ hasqualities of cushioning and moulding and the soft leather is moistureabsorbent.

The CORDURA™ or NITREX™ outer compressive cover 19 is attached to theboot by stitching 23 to the toe strap 14 along the lines indicated inFIG. 2. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, the compressivecover 19 is provided with two securing straps 24 and a buckle 27. Thecompressive cover also includes complementary VELCRO™ fasteners 26 and26 a to allow convenient fastening and to provide additional fasteningstrength. The straps 24 are attached to the compressive cover 19 only ator near the toe by stitching 23 a rather than by stitching along asubstantial portion of their length (FIG. 2). The straps are passedthrough a holder 6 to keep them in place conveniently. By thisarrangement, when the straps 24 are tightened they will pull in andcompress the outer compressive cover 19 all around the hoof instead ofjust at the rear of the hoof.

VELCRO™ fastening is provided on the outer surface 26 b of the sideflaps 17 as shown in FIG. 6. Complementary VELCRO™ fastening 26 c isprovided on the inner surface of the compressive cover 19 as shown inFIG. 10.

The lower edge of the compressive cover 19 lies along the upper edge ofthe rim 2 of the sole member 1, thus abutting with the sole member 1. Bythis arrangement, the bottom edge of the compressive cover 19 isprotected to a certain degree from abrasion and intrusion of debris bybeing flush with the rim 2.

FIG. 9 and 10 show the arrangement of the fastening strap 16 of the heelmember 15. In this embodiment, the fastening strap 16 is fixed at a link25 on one side of the heel. The strap is passed to the opposite side, asillustrated, around the pastern and back to another link 25 on theopposite side of the heel. VELCRO™ (not shown) is provided as fasteningmeans.

In the first stage of fitting, the hoof makes contact with the platform11 of the sole, the side flaps 17 of the boot and the heel member 15 ofthe boot. The toe of the hoof is hard up against the reinforced toecap 7preventing the hoof from sliding forward over the front of the boot. Therigid rim 2 of the sole member 1 also prevents any sideways movement ofthe hoof.

The next stage is to bring the upper part of the heel member 15 forwardtowards the pastern bone. This entirely covers the heel of the hoof. Theelastic gussets 18, located at either side edge of the heel member 15and joining the heel member 15 and the side flaps 17, allow the heelmember 15 to stretch backwards to accommodate a horse that has a largerheel-bulb or is longer in the length of hoof.

The toe strap 14 and the side flaps 17 are lowered inward towards thehoof.

Once contact is made, the heel-fastening strap 16 is passed around theside of the pastern bone 28 approximately 2 to 3.5 cm above the coronaryband 29. The fastening strap 16 then passes through the eye 20 of thetoe strap 14 and is returned to the rear of the boot through thesecuring link 25. The next stage is to pull the fastening strap 16 up astight as possible and then fold it back over the securing link 25. Thestrap, with VELCRO™ attached, is pressed back down firmly onto itself.

This means that the toe and heel of the boot are now prevented from anydownward movement. The heel-fastening strap 16 is now exerting pressureto the front of the pastern bone preventing any movement of the boot.The boot has thus moulded to the shape of the hoof.

The next step is to secure the outer compressive cover 19 to the sideflaps 17 totally encasing the hoof. The compressive cover 19 has VELCRO™on its inner surface and the side flaps 17 have VELCRO™ on their outerside. The compressive cover 19 is pressed down firmly against the sideflaps 17 together with a rearward movement. The rear edges of thecompressive cover 19 are fastened together and held in place by VELCRO™fasteners 26 and 26 a. This takes any looseness out of the cover andplaces it firmly against the hoof wall, totally encasing the hoof. Thesecuring strap 24 is passed across the back of the boot and tightenedinto its buckle 27 to secure the compressive cover 19.

The boot will then be precisely located and firmly held in place.

The invention should be understood to embrace many further modificationsand embodiments as will be readily apparent to persons skilled in theart and which will be deemed to reside within the broad scope and ambitof the invention, there having been set forth herein only the broadnature of the invention and a certain specific embodiment by way ofexample. In that regard, the disclosures in the associated Australianprovisional patent applications (numbers PP6125, PP6380 and PP7731) areincorporated herein by reference.

What is claimed is:
 1. An equine multi-purpose protector bootcomprising: a sole member having a platform for receiving a hoof and anupwardly depending rim extending around a periphery of the sole memberplatform at least at the front and at each side, wherein an innersurface of said rim is substantially vertical in the region of the sidesof the sole member platform to allow differing shaped hooves to dropdown onto the platform without restriction, and said rim is ofsufficient rigidity to provide resistance to lateral movement of a hoofpositioned on the platform; a first side flap located at one side of thesole member and a second side flap located at an opposite side of thesole member, said side flaps attached to or integrated with the solemember, and composed of flexible material which is able to conform tothe shape of the sides of a hoof; an outer compressive cover, providedwith means to force the side flaps into conformation with the shape of ahoof and prevent lateral movement of a hoof positioned on the platform;a heel member, flexibly attached to the rear of the sole member; saidheel member selectively shaped to include at least one fastening strapand to enclose the heel of a hoof positioned on the sole platform;re-closable complementary or mating fasteners located on an outersurface of the side flaps and an inner surface of the compressive cover,the fasteners being arranged in such a manner that the compressive coverattaches to the side flaps at a plurality of positions to allow forvariations in hoof shape; and the cover is configured to provide totalencasement of a hoof positioned on the sole platform from the platformto above the side flaps and the heel member.
 2. A boot as defined inclaim 1, wherein the side flaps are configured to be spread outwards asa hoof is placed into the boot.
 3. A boot as defined in claim 1, whereinthe compressive cover attaches either directly or indirectly to the solemember at one or more points substantially at a front portion of the rimof the sole member.
 4. A boot as defined in claim 1, wherein theupwardly depending rim of the sole member does not extend along a rearedge of the sole member, thus providing an open back to the sole member.5. A boot as defined in claim 1, wherein the height of the upwardlydepending rim from the platform of the sole member is within the rangeof from 5 to 25 mm.
 6. A boot as defined in claim 1, wherein areinforced toecap is provided on the sole member.
 7. A boot as definedin claim 6, wherein the toecap is as wide as a front region of the solemember.
 8. A boot as defined in claim 7, wherein the angle of the toecapapproximates to the angle of a selected hoof.
 9. A boot as defined inclaim 8, wherein the angle of the toecap is within the range of from 50°to 53°.
 10. A boot as defined in claim 6, wherein a rest point at thefront of the sole member platform, where the toe of a hoof positioned onthe platform rests against the sole member rim or the toecap, isvertically in line with a break over point of a bottom of the solemember.
 11. A boot as defined in claim 1, wherein a rest point at thefront of the sole member platform, where a toe of a hoof positioned onthe platform rests against the sole member rim or a toecap, isvertically in line with a break over point at the front of a bottom ofthe sole member.
 12. A boot as defined in claim 1, wherein the fasteningstrap of the heel member is made of a resilient material which allowsfor movement of a hoof positioned on the platform but does not stretchenough to allow the boot to be pulled off if it is caught or trodden on.13. A boot as defined in claim 12, wherein the fastening strap of theheel member runs around the short pastern bone and over the lateralcartilage, just below the moving joint and just above the widest pointof the coronary band of a hoof positioned on the platform in such amanner that it prevents the hoof from lifting out of the boot.
 14. Aboot as defined in claim 1, wherein the fastening strap of the heelmember is configured to run around the short pastern bone and over thelateral cartilage, just below the moving joint and just above the widestpoint of the coronary band of a hoof positioned on the platform in sucha manner that it prevents the hoof from lifting out of the boot.
 15. Aboot as defined in claim 14, wherein the fastening strap is configuredto pass from a first attachment point on one side of the heel memberacross the heel, around the pastern bone, and then back to a secondattachment point at an opposite side of the heel member.
 16. A boot asdefined in claim 1, wherein a lower surface of the sole member isprovided with means to aid in traction.
 17. A boot as defined in claim1, wherein the boot is designed and constructed of suitable materials sothat a tightening of the fastening strap about a hoof positioned on theplatform exerts a pressure on the hoof from front to back resulting in asqueezing effect by which the back of the boot is moved forward and thefront of the boot is moved backward.
 18. A boot as defined in claim 1,wherein the fastening strap of the heel member is adapted to pass aroundthe pastern bone of a hoof positioned on the platform, at a point withinthe range of 2 to 3.5 cm above the coronary band of the hoof, in such amanner that it prevents the hoof from lifting out of the boot.